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Hereditary Genius
271
loose, aet. 18, at Cambridge. At the age of 26, being then a swearing,
drunken parson, he was partly converted, and aet. 34 his “preaching
began to be profitable;” then followed twenty-one years of eminent
usefulness. 5. White-field, d. aet. 56; had extraordinary activity,
constantly preaching and constantly travelling. He had great
constitutional powers, though,” from disease,” he grew corpulent
after aet. 40. He was extremely irregular in early youth, drinking and
pilfering (Stephen, “Eccl. Biog.”). [6.] It is probable that Trosse ought
to be added to this list. He will again be spoken of in the next
category but one.
Next, as to those who were vigorous in constitution but not irregular
in youth; they are 7 in number. 1. Peter Martyr, d. aet. 62; a large
healthy man of grave, sedate, and well-composed countenance. His
parts and learning were very uncommon. 2. Mede, d. aet. 52; was a
fine, handsome, dignified man. Middleton remarks that his vitals were
strong, that he did not mind the cold, and that he had a sound mind in
a sound body. He was a sceptic when a student at college, but not
wild. 3. Bedell, d. aet. 72; a tall, graceful, dignified man; a favourite
even with Italian papists; suffered no decay of his natural powers till
near his death. 4. Leighton, d. aet. 70 of a sudden attack of pleurisy.
He looked so fresh up to that time that age seemed to stand still with
him. 5. Burkitt, d. aet. 53 of a malignant fever, but “his strength was
such that he might have been expected to live till 80.” He was turned
to religion when a boy, by an attack of smallpox. 6. Alix, d. aet. 76;
had an uncommon share of health and spirits; he was a singularly
amiable, capable, and popular man. 7. Harrison, d. aet. ?; a strong,
robust man, full of flesh and blood; humble, devout, and of bright
natural parts. This concludes the list. I have been surprised to find
none of the type of Cromwell's “Ironsides.”
Lastly, as to those who were irregular in youth but
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